Pallid Harrier photos

2 October - The fantastic photos of the Pallid Harrier above were taken by, copyright, James Packer (1 - click to enlarge) and, copyright, Peter Moore (2-4).

Buzzards and Kestrels

2 October - Midsummer weather in October, and some photos of common birds on a quick walk at CWP - 9 Buzzards (1-2) together over pit 95, and a couple of Kestrels (3-4) hunting. No Hobbies seen, probably all left for the winter.

Pallid Harrier and Pectoral Sandpiper in Somerset

1 October - Firstly, good views (on a record-breaking hot October afternoon, 29.9 deg C in Kent) of the juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper (5) at Chew Valley Lake, from Herriott's Bridge - Ruff, 4 Snipe and a Little Egret also present, together with a singing Cettis's Warbler. The Pec showed the typical small-headed profile of this species, with well-demarcated breast band. Late afternoon, after a wait, the juvenile Pallid Harrier gave good views at Black Down near the trig point - perched on a fence post, showing the characteristic face mask and collar, and also seen in flight with its gingery underparts and Monty's like profile. Photos 1,2 - JM - photos 3,4, copyright Allan Chard.

Sandhill Crane in Scotland....

24 Sept - I decided to go ahead with my pre-planned walking trip to Scotland, but had to modify the itinerary as a Sandhill Crane conveniently arrived from North America....excellent views of the bird for an hour or so at first light at its roost on Loch of Strathbeg RSPB reserve - before it flew off to feed. A major UK rarity. Photos 2-3, courtesy Joseph Nichols on Birdforum. Also seen - approx 15,000 Pink-footed Geese, newly arrived to winter or move further south. Nearby, the Ythan estuary held a good selection of waders including 30+ Bar-tailed Godwits, 50+ Curlew, 100+ Redshank, 15+ Ruff and a Little Stint, as well as 100s of Lapwings and 50+ Golden Plover (photos 1,4-6 JM). There were also 10 Golden Plover in a flock on the summit ridge of Ben Chonzie in the afternoon.

Lapland Bunting at Farmoor

17 Sept - Very good close views, and good photo opportunities, with a Lapland Bunting on the causeway at Farmoor in blustery, showery conditions. A female or immature bird, but still strikingly marked, very streaked with chestnut in the wing panels. A rarity inland. Photos JM.

My very dear friend Carol died this evening. I will greatly miss her.

More vagrant Waders - in Glos

16 Sept - A successful morning looking for waders in Glos. First, the juvenile Spotted Sandpiper was still at Lydney (the first county record) and I saw it well but briefly on the riverbank, distinctive with strongly scalloped scapulars, indistinct breast sides and overall pale colouration. Photo (1), copyright Tom Mabbett. Then, at Slimbridge, a guided walk out onto the Dumbles (2) at high tide gave excellent views of the juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper (3,4, JM), and a juvenile Dotterel flew in. Also at Slimbridge on the estuary and from the hides - 20+ Knot, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, 3 Ruff, 150+ Black-tailed Godwits, 50+ Redshank, and 2 Sanderling with 50+ Ringed Plovers and 100+ Dunlin, and a Green Sandpiper.

Pennington - vagrant waders

15 Sept - A visit to the south coast a few days after westerly storms, and a couple of vagrant waders seen - firstly a Baird's Sandpiper (1) from North America on Butts lagoon, small with a long primary projection and fairly short legs - and a Grey Phalarope (2) on Normandy Marsh. A very good selection of other birds seen - a flock of 5 Spoonbills flew low west - but I had no card in my camera! also seen - at least 36 Mediterranean Gulls (11-13), a mixture of adults and immatures - 25+ Little Egrets (14-15) - at least 10 Greenshanks (5-7) and 3 Spotted Redshanks - a smart Curlew Sandpiper - 2 Ruff and 2 Knot - 20+ moulting Eider offshore - and a couple of migrant Wheatears (16). Other waders included Black-tailed Godwit (8-9), Curlew (10), Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover and Redshank. Sandwich Terns were fishing offshore and 2 Cetti's Warblers were calling. Photos 3-16 JM.